Halifax is about a five min drive from the CBD of Bunbury as are most places here its one of those towns where everything is pretty easy to get to and we live in Dalyellup and it takes us 15 mins max to get to work in the CBD. No traffic queues even though locals think the roads are busy, mmmmm definately not, we are shocked now when we see more than 10 cars at the traffic lights lol.
We've been here since October and we are still settling in and finding our way around. Take a look at this website it'll give you a general feel for the areas around here and we love going to Dunsborough and Margaret River on the weekends. Also take a look at Christian Fletchers website as he's a photographer based in Dunsborough and lots of his photo's are of local beaches/scenery.
MySouthWest - Western Australia's South West Business and Community Directory Portal Website and much more!
is the website we use to get ideas of where to visit and have had some pretty nice places to rent for weekends away. If you are into camping then this is the area to come to the campsites are very clean and organised and cost about $6 each to pitch your tent.
I work for a local mortgage brokers and OH works for a local civil engineering company.
Perth is just over a two hour drive away and will be quicker next year as they are building a new road to Perth at the moment.
Its a very chilled out quiet way of life here, totally different to Cardiff where we lived before coming here. We love the weekends and try to explore as much as we can and believe you me there is lots to explore and we have bought a 4x4 so we can get on those lovely bright orange tracks and see what's hiding from the main road.
Bunbury I think has the best of both worlds, a shopping area - plenty of what you need (except for good underwear but that's an Aussie wide problem), beaches, countryside, plenty of places to visit which are beautiful and within an hours drive and even more if you are willing to travel. The climate is like the med and we have cooler/wetter winters than Perth, but only about 2/3 degrees difference but can be windy here at times but you'll be grateful for it in the summer. Lots of houses being built, free bbq's at the beach and in the parks, lots of parks in the housing estates and best of all you don't have to lock yourselves away from the cold for 9 months of the year.
Its not all a bed of roses but as long as you embrace the fact that its not going to be like the UK and its not then you'll be fine. People here are friendly and very helpful and have a different attitude to those at home, but maybe that's because the sunshines alot more or its just that its all so new we don't see the real picture yet and haven't got bored of it yet - dunno.
The sun can be quite fierce so you always have to cover up as it stings you rather than burns you if that makes sense, it will when you get here. But they are good with kids and have to wear sunny hats in school and put on suncream but it just becomes the norm and didn't wear it one day as I forgot and sat in the sun for about 10 mins and burnt myself pretty badly but didn't feel it until much later and wow I sure did a good job of it.
House prices have fallen since last year as the boom is now well and truly over.
We love it here but it may not be for everyone as it is pretty quiet, but we find Perth is a very quiet city as well and think we made the best choice coming down south and pop to Perth to visit friends but otherwise to be honest don't think we'd go there very often.
Sarah
